Political analyst ‘wins RM8 million suit’ against PH aide

Kamarul Zaman Yusof sued Abdul Aziz Isa for defamation over damaging remarks on social media and in opinion pieces.

PETALING JAYA: Political analyst Kamarul Zaman Yusoff said today he has been awarded RM8 million damages in a defamation suit against an aide to the head of Sarawak Pakatan Harapan (PH).

In a posting on Facebook, Kamarul said that the Kuala Lumpur High Court had also awarded RM10,000 in legal costs, and had ordered the aide, Abdul Aziz Isa, to pay interest of 4% a year on the RM8 million damages until the sum was fully paid.

Kamarul said Aziz had defamed him through social media postings and opinion pieces that questioned Kamarul’s academic credentials and implied that he was afraid of Christians.

Aziz is a special officer to Sarawak PH chairman Chong Chieng Jen, who is among five MPs, all from DAP, who are also being sued by Kamarul.

“The victory is sweet, and it would only fuel my determination to win my other lawsuits against five other DAP leaders,” Kamarul wrote.

Seputeh MP Teresa Kok is being sued for RM8 million over defamatory statements three years ago, accusing him of being a threat to society and of being narrow minded.

Kamarul is also suing Chong, who is Stampin MP and Sarawak DAP chief, Iskandar Puteri MP Lim Kit Siang, Kepong MP Lim Lip Eng and Ipoh Timor MP Wong Kah Woh. He seeks RM5 million defamation damages from each.

Chong was alleged to have claimed that Kamarul was unqualified to be a lecturer and was a religious bigot.

Kit Siang was alleged to have accused Kamarul of restricting the religious freedom of Christians and calling for the Bible to be banned.

Wong was allegedly to have said that Kamarul was an Umno propagandist and Lip Eng had allegedly implied that Kamarul was a lecturer of little calibre and quality.

FMT is seeking confirmation of the defamation award by the High Court. - FMT